Sumter Housing Authority

Waiting Lists

Learn more about Sumter Housing Authority.

Open: Sumter Housing Authority Section 8 HCV

Please Note: Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.

Please note: The Sumter Housing Authority covers most areas of Sumter County, SC. Contact the SHA to determine if your desired area is covered by the SHA.

The Sumter Housing Authority (SHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently open on a limited basis. This waiting list opened in 2015, and is open indefinitely.

Please note: The SHA has stated that this waiting list is open only for households that are local residents of Sumter County, SC, and either elderly (62+), disabled, or a veteran. 

To apply, complete the pre-application at the SHA office, located at 15 Caldwell St., Sumter SC 29150.

Important note: Applicants who have been placed on the waiting list must inform the housing authority immediately if your application information changes (such as contact information, income, and household members). In the case that the office sends a notice that does not get returned, or if application information is out of date, your name may be terminated from the waiting list. Contact the housing authority to find out how to update application information.

For more information, call the SHA office at (803) 775-4357.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (803)775-4357.

Next Steps

Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.

Last Updated on 05/10/2017.

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Open: Sumter Housing Authority Public Housing

Please Note: Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.

The Sumter Housing Authority (SHA) is currently accepting Public Housing waiting list applications for families and senior/disabled individuals.

The SHA offers three Public Housing communities with 327 units for families and senior/disabled individuals.

To apply, visit the SHA to submit an application in person, located at 15 Caldwell St., Sumter, SC, between the hours of 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday-Thursday, and on Fridays from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.

Be sure to bring a photo ID with you when applying.

The SHA does not have a preference. Qualified applicants will be placed on the waiting list by date and time received.

For more information, the SHA can be reached by calling (803) 775-4357, between the hours of 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday-Thrusday, and on Fridays from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.
Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (803)775-4357.

Next Steps

Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.

Last Updated on 07/02/2015.

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About Sumter Housing Authority

15 Caldwell Street, Sumter, SC (803) 775-4357

Sumter Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 1,262 low and moderate income households through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs..

Housing Authority Jurisdiction

Low-income housing managed by Sumter Housing Authority is located in Sumter County, SC.

Households with a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher managed by this housing authority must rent within its jurisdiction.

About the Sumter Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Sumter Housing Authority manages 856 active Housing Choice Vouchers.

The following table summarizes types of vouchers managed and the monthly costs of each as of December 31st, 2021:

Standard Tenant Protection Ported Out VASH
Vouchers 839 7 4 6
Monthly Cost Per Voucher $389 $261 $875 $383
Monthly Cost $326,719 $1,825 $3,498 $2,297
Waiting List and Tenancy

According to the 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households database, the housing authority's voucher program has an annual turnover of 16% having issued approximately 56 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 6 years and 4 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of 6 months on the waiting list1.

Income Characteristics

According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.2 persons and has a household income of $11,372 per year. 93% of households were very low income (VLI) and 63% were extremely low income (ELI). 28% of households had wages as a major source of income, 1% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 67% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.

Heads of Household Characteristics

4% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 56% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 20% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 20% were headed by a person 62 years old or older. In addition, 2% of households were headed by a person 85 years old or older.

49% of households included children, 2% of which had two adults in the household. 46% of households with children have a female head of household. 86% of all households were headed by a female.

91% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 90% of all heads of households being Black and 0% being Hispanic.

Of all households participating in the Sumter Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 22% include at least one person with a disability. 41% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 64% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.

Bedroom Size and Overhousing

9% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 46% with 2 bedrooms and 45% with 3 or more bedrooms. 45% of voucher recipients are considered overhoused, meaning they occupy a rental unit larger than their family size requires.

Rent, Assistance, and Utility Allowances

The average monthly tenant contribution to rent by Sumter Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $262 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $444. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $140.

1. This Picture of Subsidized Households data field is the average wait time of those who received a voucher in the preceding 12 months. Due to special voucher programs like VASH, recent waiting list purges, or waiting list preferences the average wait time can vary significantly from one year to the next and it is entirely possible many current applicants on the waiting list have been waiting for assistance for far longer.